Pregnancy Discrimination

The laws enforced by EEOC prohibit an employer from treating women differently, or less favorably, because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Employers must treat women temporarily unable to perform their jobs due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition the same as any other temporarily disabled employees.

The laws enforced by the EEOC give you the right to request reasonable workplace changes because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. These changes can be to allow you to apply for a job, do your job, access the workplace, or enjoy the same benefits available to other employees. We call these requests for “reasonable accommodations.” Although your employer does not have to grant every request for a workplace change, it is required to carefully consider each request and whether it would be possible. 

The laws enforced by EEOC also protect you from being harassed at work by managers, co-workers, or others in your workplace, because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.

Finally, the laws enforced by EEOC protect you from being punished or harassed at work because you or someone you closely associate with (for example, a relative or close friend) complains about pregnancy discrimination. We call this your right to be protected from retaliation.

If you would like more information after reading the frequently asked questions, see the EEOC's Pregnancy Discrimination page.